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Mwanawasa accepts Lord Cairns’ apology

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PRESIDENT Levy Mwanawasa says he has accepted the apology from the chairman of the Zambia International Business Advisory Council (ZIBAC), Lord Cairns, who yesterday castigated government for failing to implement most of the programmes agreed upon at the last meeting.

Mr Mwanawasa said Lord Cairns apologized for criticizing government, adding that he was upset by the remarks made yesterday.

He said government has been working very hard to ensure that the country made economic progress.

Mr Mwanawasa was speaking in Livingstone today during the closure of the Fifth ZIBAC meeting.

”Lord Cairns has apologized for criticizing us. I must say I was upset. We have been working very hard breaking our necks and he was here criticizing,” said Mr Mwanawasa.

Mr Mwanawasa said he had also apologized to Lord Cairns for sounding cruel yesterday and noted that it was not his intention.

Meanwhile, Mr Mwanawasa has directed various ministries to take up issues that were raised at the just ended ZIBAC meeting seriously.

He however assured participants that some issues that were raised at the previous meeting were being implemented and that issues raised today would be implemented within the reform program.

Mr Mwanawasa observed that even though a lot had been achieved, there was still need for more to be done.

He also directed ministries to speed up the implementation of the resolutions.

Mr Mwanawasa said he takes the consultation processes of the meetings and the outcomes very seriously.

”Our vision is to have a vibrant private sector driven economy. This is why I was disappointed a few months ago with the Zambia Business Forum who organised a workshop and only invited themselves without involving the private sector,” he said.

Mr Mwanawasa urged the Zambia Business Forum to ensure that they involve the private sector in their workshops so that they are given a platform to talk about their experiences which could, in turn, attract more investments.

The President said the country needed to attract more investments, especially in the energy sector, where there was a looming power deficit in the near future.

Mr Mwanawasa also noted that government was taking measures aimed at reducing the cost of doing business in the country.

And speaking earlier, Lord Cairns, who is based in the United Kingdom, said his comments on the Zambian economy that he uttered yesterday were based on the impressions that he had got from friends and hearsay.

He said after coming to Zambia and hearing for himself, his impression now was that Zambia was moving forward economically.

He said the country had an emerging private sector and that it had also scored some success stories.

”My impressions on Zambia then relied on hearsay and friends. My impressions, now that I have seen for myself, are that there is much more vibrant dialogue and that government and the private sector are seeing themselves as partners in developing this country.

”My sense, too, is that Zambia is moving forward. You have got an emerging private sector and you have some success stories,” he said.

Lord Cairns said there was need to develop passion in order to get things done, and that there was need to put a system in place that would ensure that things agreed upon are done.

Zambia Business Forum Chief Executive Officer, Reginald Mfula, urged government to resolve and revise policy framework on implementation.

Mr Mfula said efficient implementation of programmes would result in a lot of poverty reduction and direct foreign investments.

He pledged the private sector’s commitment in working with government on the implementation of various programmes.

Outgoing World Bank Country representative, Ohene Nyanin, commended government for taking bold and courageous steps to make Zambia a
better country.

He said when the first ZIBAC meeting was held in 2003, Zambia faced many economic challenges, among them was the issue of macro stability.

He however said in the last four and a half years, government had managed to reduce interest rates and inflation, adding that this was able to be achieved through the removal of the fourty per cent housing allowance that was earlier awarded to civil servants.

Mr Nyanin observed that although the country had done very well in the past four and a half years, the challenges were still immense.

Circumcision could save millions from AIDS-studies

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Millions of new HIV infections in Africa could be avoided if more men were circumcised, an International AIDS Society conference was told on Tuesday.

Studies in Africa have found that male circumcision, the world’s oldest surgical procedure dating back to 2300 BC, reduces HIV transmission from females to males by 60 percent.

Universal circumcision could avert 2 million new infections and 300,000 deaths in sub-Saharan Africa over 10 years, said Professor Robert Bailey from the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

“If we had a vaccine that was 60 percent protective we would be very happy and rolling it out as fast as possible,” Bailey told the IAS conference in Sydney.

“But no one stands to profit from male circumcision — no one but the 4,000 in Africa who will be infected tomorrow.”

Africa is the epicentre of the AIDS epidemic. South Africa has an estimated 5.5 million people with HIV and is struggling to stem the spread of the disease in the general population.

But African nations such as Cameroon and Nigeria, where circumcision is common, have a much lower rate of HIV infection than Zimbabwe and Swaziland where there is little circumcision.

The idea of using circumcision as a weapon against AIDS emerged after studies in Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and the United States found the potential to significantly reduce infections, said Bailey, adding the World Health Organisation has now endorsed circumcision as a disease prevention method.

“The challenge ahead for us is how to roll out circumcision safely … and to persuade leaders in countries that it is going to help their populations,” Bailey told a news conference.

“Circumcision is not just simply a surgical procedure. Its tied up in a complex web of cultural and religious practices and beliefs,” he added.

“It’s not easy for politicians and ministers of health to quickly come out in favour of circumcision in countries where circumcision is not traditionally practiced.”

Bailey said aid organisations would not offer the service until local governments endorsed it, for fear of being seen as culturally insensitive.

WOMEN BACK CIRCUMCISION

Women in African nations are expected to be the drivers behind using circumcision to stop HIV infection as they are traditionally associated with ensuring hygiene in communities.

“Women, more than men, equate circumcision with improved hygeine,” said Bailey.

“It’s often up to women to provide the water, the soap and the materials for men to bathe and cleanse themselves. Many of the women complain the men are not as clean as they could be.”

Circumcision should not be seen by men as their only preventative measure against HIV and must still be combined with safe sex practices. Condom use should still be encouraged.

“It’s very important not to view this as a standalone surgical procedure,” said Bailey.

Many Africans were already seeking circumcision to try and stop the spread of HIV, but many were suffering medical complications because of poor procedures.

There also was some evidence that circumcision may help prevent infection between homosexual men, with one study in Uganda showing a 30 percent reduction in infection.

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JULY LOCAL TRANSFER ROUND-UP

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The July local transfer window has been uneventful so far with no high-profile moves yet at the midway point of the window.

Defending champions Zanaco have so far made low profile signings with Congo-born midfielder Fabrice Kanda of division 1 side Nampundwe and Zambia Under 23 defender Aaron Sichilima arriving at Sunset.

Current leaders Zesco United have not made any signs while Lusaka Dynamos have lost Nashya Kaya to Zamtel and are currently struggling to hold on to striker Derrick Mumba who is being courted by Zanaco and Power Dynamos.

Nchanga Rangers meanwhile have lost four players with Boyd Chanda and Emmanuel Chimpende moving to Power Dynamos.

Rangers have also lost striker Lyson Sikaonga and Zambia Under 20 striker Floyd Phiri moving back to Forest Rangers just six months after moving to the Chingola club.

Also rejoining Forest are striker Kamita Mutambo and winger Frazer Mwewa who return to their former club on loan from Zanaco until the end of the season.

Kabwe Warriors meanwhile are resting easy with their highly rated Zambia Under 20 striker Emmanuel Mayuka pledging he is staying at Railway ground for the foreseeable future.

Zanaco and Green Buffaloes are closely monitoring the striker.

Zanaco’s thirst for attackers has also taken them to Roan United where attempts to sign on striker Ben Mwanza are proving harder than anticipated.

Government loosing billions of kwacha due to corruption, says C/Belt PS

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Government says it is loosing billions of Kwacha every year through corrupt  practices which  have  become a wide spread phenomenon in business  transactions in the various sectors of the economy in the Country.

Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Jennifer Musonda said  Government and many other
organisations including the mining Sector  had experienced situations where they
have paid for items either on inflated  prices , items that have never been
delivered or paying twice for the same goods.

ZANIS Kitwe reports that Mrs Musonda said corruption in procurement of goods and
services would  have a serious impact on economic development and poverty
alleviation in the Country if not checked.

The PS said  this in kitwe today in a speech read on her behalf by Kitwe District
Commissioner Macdonald Mtine at the official opening of a two day Anti Corruption
Commission (ACC)  workshop for procurement officers drawn from the Mining sector.

She added that it was important that procurement being one of the  areas most
vulnerable to corruption was manned by people of high integrity.

The PS said there was need for elaborate and clear guidelines  in the procurement
system inorder to ensure transparency and accountability.

Mr Musonda said procurement officers need to be given specific instructions about
the goals of procurement and be held accountable for transactions they carried out.

And speaking earlier at the same function, Anti Corruption Copperbelt Regional
Director , Milton Siakabeya called on procurement officers in the mining sector to
put  in place  measures aimed at preventing fraud.

Mr Siakabeya said the ACC had since embarked on a programme to educate procurement officers from the various sectors of the economy on risk management to avoid fraud.

Sata is finished – Levy

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President Levy Mwanawasa says opposition Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata is a  finished politician and has nothing to offer.

Mr Mwanawasa said he defeated Mr Sata in the 2001 and 2006 presidential and parliamentary elections hands down.

The president said for this reason he refused to be judged by Mr Sata’s standards even if he continues to level negative accusations against him.

Mr Mwanawasa said this on arrival at Livingstone International Airport.

He said allegations made against him by Mr Sata that levies collected from markets
go to State House should be dismissed by Zambians people because they lack
credibility and only aim to discredit him and his economic achievements.

Eight people nursing dog bites in Ukwimi in Petauke

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Eight people of Ukwimi Settlement Scheme in Petauke district have undergone medical treatment for suspected rabies after dog bites.

A veterinary official, Jeph Mkwalantira, disclosed the development to Eastern
Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Eurelia Siyamujaye, during the monitoring tour
of government funded projects in the area over the weekend.

Mr. Mkwalantira said that the eight were taken to the nearest Ukiwimi Rural Health
Centre for treatment.

He explained that the dogs are suspected to have been earlier bitten by a stray fox
which he said was a reservoir of rabies.

In a related development, people in the area are living in fear of lions which that
are reported to be terrorising the settlement.

According to Zambia Wildlife Authorities (ZAWA) in Ukwimi, the lions which were seen
in most places, including Mulola village which migrated from Mfuwe Game Management
Area.

An officer who declared anonymity said the department was already on the ground
hunting   the fox and the lions that are threatening people’s lives in Ukwimi.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mrs Eurelia  Siyamujaye said the development needed urgent attention before lives are lost.

She noted that she was particularly concerned with the lives of girls at Sonja Girls
Secondary School which was situated in the area.

Chama council workers in 27 months salary arrears

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Council workers in Chama district have not been paid their salaries and wages for more than 27 months.

Acting Chama Council Secretary, Newton Nyirenda, disclosed this to ZANIS in Chama
and has attributed the development to government failure to give Chama grants to
enable the local authority meet  wage bills of K12 million and other operation
costs.

Mr. Nyirenda also identified the small revenue base for the council as another
reason for  the local authority’s failure to clear millions of kwacha in
outstanding salaries and wages for its workers.

He also said the situation has been worsened with power black out caused by Zesco
which has also resulted into the district experiencing a critical water shortage,
thereby forcing most water consumers refusing to pay outstanding water bills.

The council chief officer disclosed that water pumping machines have been rendered
useless because of poor electricity, saying unless Zesco addressed the power
problem, there would be a continuous water problem and a possible outbreak of a
diarrhoea disease soon.

Mr. Nyirenda said there is great need to speed up the rural electrification
programme so that the district could be connected to the national grid to enhance
development.

He further complained that  Chama District lacks developmental projects due to power
failure.
 
Meanwhile, a 15-year old girl of Chama Day Secondary School committed suicide
following a dispute with her young brother.

Both education authorities and family members confirmed the death of a girl which
happened last week to ZANIS in Chama in separate interviews, and named the deceased
as Ruth Kachali of Makeni Compound.

Ms Regina Mkandawire, a widow, disclosed that on the material day, while she was out
in Lundazi district on church programmes, Ruth drunk rat poison after being advised
by her young brother against coming home late in the absence of their mother.

She said her young brother only discovered the body of Ruth in her room the
following morning with a note in her pocket accusing the boy of subjecting her to
beatings and intimidation.

Zambian Journalist scoops CNN Multichoice African Journalism Award in HIV/AIDS

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One of Zambia’s finalists in the CNN MultiChoice African Journalism Awards Charity Mutinta Mboozi on Saturday scooped first position in the HIV/AIDS Journalism category at the competition’s grand finale in Cape Town, South Africa.

Charity Mutinta Mboozi of the Catholic Media Services TV studios, was among 25
finalists from 40 African countries including ZANIS television producer Wamunyima
Muwana who competed in various journalism categories.

The entries were chosen from a total of 1,670 entries from 40 African countries.

She received the award at this year’s CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2007 Awards
ceremony held at the prestigious Table Bay hotel in Cape Town, South Africa over the
weekend.

Zambia News and Information Services, ZANIS television producer Wamunyima Muwana was
also one of the finalists in the competition.

Ms Mbozi who came from the Catholic Media Services television studios entered her
documentary entitled “Through my Eyes” in the competition.

The award winning production looks at the impact of HIV/AIDS on a family and
community through the eyes of a 12 year old boy who lost five members of his family
to the epidemic.

Mr Muwana’s documentary on the Kuomboka ceremony of the Lozi people of Western
province, which was one of the entries in the competition, also received high
acclaim from eminent African journalists who graced the ceremony in Cape Town.

Zambia’s Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Robert Mataka and United Nations Special
Envoy on HIV/AIDS in Africa Elizabeth Mataka attended the prize giving ceremony in
Cape Town.

Others were ZANIS Director Patrick Jabani and ZNBC Director General Joseph Salasini.

The overall top prize in the competition was won by Uganda’s Richard Kavuma who
works for the Weekly Observer in that country.

Kavuma entered his eight-part series of articles that assessed Uganda’s performance
in the attainment of the Millenium Development Goals, MDGs.

Kavuma’s overall prize comprises a substantial cash prize, a visit to the CNN Centre
in Atlanta, Georgia with complimentary flights courtesy of South African Airways.

Meanwhile, ZANIS Director Patrick Jabani has urged Zambian journalists to strive for
excellence in their work so that they compete favourably at continental and global
level.

Mr Jabani said Zambian journalists should be dedicated to telling the Zambian story
well to the outside world on various issues and developments taking place on the
continent.

He noted with regret that Zambia was one of the most starved countries in Sub-Sahara
Africa in terms of information and attributed the situation to laissez-faire
attitude among
journalists.

Mr Jabani also disclosed that Multi-Choice Zambia in conjunction with ZANIS,  ZNBC,
Celtel , Zambia Centre for Communication Programmes, ZCCP and other stakeholders,
will hold a function to honour the two Zambian finalists Mr Muwana and Ms Mboozi who
participated in this year’s competition which was climaxed over the weekend in Cape
Town.

He said the idea is to see how the Cape Town ceremony could be replicated in Zambia
in an effort to recognise and motivate  the local journalism ingenuity.

Zambia U23 depart Algeria with eye on Olympics

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The curtain fell on Zambia’s most successful outing at the All-Africa Games yesterday on a low when the Under-23 team losing 1-0 to Tunisia in the race for Bronze in the two sides 3rd and 4th place play-off match.

A 73rd minute goal from Akrem Maatouk dashed 10-man Zambia’s hopes of collecting an 11th medal at tournament just 11 minutes after striker Felix Nsunzu was sent-off for rough play.

Their will be little rest for the Under 23 who now turn their attention to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games football tournament qualifiers next month when they travel to Bamako to face Mali on August 22.

Meanwhile, Following Africa amateur Light welterweight boxing champion Hastings Bwalya’s gold medal win, Zambia will bring home 10 medals when they return home on Thursday.

It is the best medal placing by Zambia since they first participated in the inaugural All-Africa Games in 1965.

The haul beats the 6 medals collected at the Nigeria All-Africa Games in 2003.

At this year’s games, Zambia won two silver in badminton and chess.

They were further bronze medals in Chess, badminton, boxing, judo and swimming.

LuSE, Zesco to meet over raising capital

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THE Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE) will this week meet Zesco limited to engage the utility company appreciates the process of raising capital on the stock market.

LuSE wants to find out if the electricity utility has immediate capital raising projects that require cheap funding.

Speaking in an interview, LuSE general manager, Beatrice Nkanza said she was surprised to learn that Zesco cannot raise capital from the capital market because they were of the opinion that it was expensive.

She was reacting to Zesco comments last week that raising capital on LuSE was expensive as compared to banks.

“The notion that LuSE fees are expensive is a bit blanket. There is cost of doing business everywhere and to isolate LuSE and say its expensive is incorrect,’’ she said.

Mrs. Nkanza said expenses incurred by companies when rising funding on the exchange were not LuSE expenses per se.

She cited the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as the first entry point when a company wanted to either list or rise capital.

She added that SEC had its own cost structure and once this was done, there was also a brokerage service that was offered to the intending issuer.

The brokerage service is a package of services that ranges from accounting, lawyers and brokers.

She stated that at each stage, parties were free to negotiate before they reached the exchange for assessment of application and approval for listing.

Mrs. Nkanza however pointed out that there was need to sensitize the masses on LuSE as a cheaper source of income.

She stated that if financial institutions like the Development bank of Zambia and Barclays bank of Zambia could raise bonds on the capital market, it simply showed that the exchange was a cheaper source for developmental projects.

“We would like Zesco to come on the market and be part of the change going on in the capital market. In the recent past, we have seen Chilanga cement raise K200 billion on LuSE,’’ she said.

Mrs. Nkanza pointed out that it would be a good start for Zesco to go on the capital market and raise some of the funds it required for its projects in order to meet the looming power shortage in the country.

Stolen copper cathodes worth millions of kwacha recovered in Nakonde

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TAZARA police in Nakonde have arrested three people and recovered copper cathodes worth millions of kwacha which were stolen from a goods train which was going to the port city of Dar-es-salaam in Tanzania last week.

Among the arrested persons are two Nakonde residents.

Nakonde District Commissioner Edwin Sinyinza confirmed the arrest of the trio and
the  recovery of copper cathodes weighing seven  tonnes.

Mr Sinyinza said RAZARA police officers under the command of their officer-in-charge
Chief Inspector Katongo  managed to recover all the copper cathodes which had been
stolen.

The DC said 40 sheets of copper cathodes were recovered between Kapwila and Mwenzo
Tazara railway station with the help of the Community Crime Prevention Unit (CCPU).

Four other sheets  were recovered in the Tanzanian border town of Tunduma following
the intervention of TAZARA police deputy commandant Binwell Chimfwembe.

Mr Sinyinza commended TAZARA police for tacting swiftly to recover the stolen items.

“I wish to commend our gallant police officers at TAZARA police station for moving
in quickly to arrest the suspects and recover copper cathodes worth hundreds of
millions of kwacha,” Sinyinza said.

“We need officers who are vigilant and patriotic in curbing cross border crime”

The DC added that there was need to deal firmly with people bent on working against
the country’s booming economy through such thefts.

The three arrested men are detained at Nakonde police station and will appear in
court soon.

Find alternative ways of disbursing HIV/AIDS funds, government urged

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Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders onHIV/AIDS in Zambia (AMICALL) has expressed displeasure at the manner government is allocating funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS in districts.

AMICALL national coordinator Kenneth Mwansa said there is need for government to
find other aways of channelling HIV/AIDS funds to districts instead of using line
ministries.

Mr. Mwansa said it was important  for government to deploy controlling officers in
all the 72 districts countrywide to monitor HIV/AIDS funds and ensure that there was
accountability in the process.

He was speaking at the just ended 51st Annual General Assembly on mainstreaming
HIV/AIDS in Local Government at Fairmount Hotel in Livingstone.

Mr. Mwansa said there was gross mismanagement of money meant for HIV/AIDS activities
in some ministries which needed urgent redress.

He added that under the current system of channelling money for HIV/AIDS fight in
ministries, most of the ordinary people did not benefit because the money did not
reach them.  

Mr. Mwansa said it was unfortunate that after 42 years of independence Zambia was
still struggling with matters like how it could mainstream HIV/AIDS policies in
local Government.
 

Pensioners welcome the increase in leaders perks

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Zambia National Pensioners Association (ZNPA) in Livingstone and Kazungula districts have welcomed the increase of personal emoluments for national leaders in the country.

ZNPA executive secretary Patrick Namakando said the increase is normal and legal
considering the ever rising economic factors in the country.

Mr. Namakando said it was justifiable to review the leaders  salaries from time to
time.

He however said it was wrong for policy makers in the country to ignore pensioners
by not increasing their monthly salaries that currently stand at K50, 000 per month.

Mr. Namakando said despite numerous cries from pensioners, lawmakers could only
fully justify their pay rise by ensuring that pensioners were not left behind.

He called on President Mwanawasa to come to their aid.   

Parliament last week approved the motion by Vice President to review leaders’
salaries. 

Konkola Rugby Club in jersies boost

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Bulk Mining Explosives (BME), a Chililabombwe based company, on Friday last week donated jerseys and boots worth over K10 million to Konkola Rugby Club.

And Government has challenged the private sector on the Copperbelt to take an active
role in sports development as the case was during the Zambia Consolidated Copper
Mines (ZCCM) era.

Speaking during the presentation of the jerseys and boots at Konkola Rugby Club
yesterday, Chililabombwe District Administrastive Officer Taphen Muloongo said
sports play a pivotal role in national development through healthy living, besides
providing entertainment.

Muloongo said it was saddening to note that Konkola Rugby Club, which has no
official sponsor, was the poorest club in the league despite being located in a
Province endowed wtih abundant natural resources.

He challenged other business houses in the district to emulate the gestrue shown by
BME.

He also called on the club management and players to take good care of the jerseys
and boots as well as reciprocate by winning games.

And Club chairperson Calistus Kaoma thanked BME for helping  the club saying the
club was the most poorly dressed despite being among the top eight teams int the
national rugby league.

Kaoma said the donation would contribute to the revival of rugby in the district and
encourage youths to take up sports, which contributes to the fight against social
vices such as drug abuse casual sex and child delinquency.

He was optimistic the firm would consider taking up full sponsorship of the club as
the donation marked the begining of a long lasting relationship.

Meanwhile BME International Business Manager Charles Hurly wished the rugby club
success in its sporting endeavours

Konkola Rugby Club faces many problems ranging from lack of funds, insurance cover,
transport and dilapidated infrastructure.

Government commends West farmers for high crop production

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Agriculture Permanent Secretary Dr. Sam Mundia has commended farmers in Western Province for harvesting 41,353 metric tonnes of maize compared to last year’s 32,487 metric tonnes.

Dr. Mundia has since appealed to farmers in the province to properly secure their
harvest to avoid it getting destroyed.

He has also appealed to farmers to consider planting drought resistant crops  to
boost food security in the province.

Dr. Mundia warned farmers not to sell the 60% subsided fertilizer.

Officiating at this year’s Mongu agriculture and commercial show, Mr Mundia  said
the selling of subsidized fertilizer by some farmers was impeding government efforts
to boost the agriculture industry in the country.

He said government through the Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP), was committed to
enhancing food production among the small scale farmers around the country.

Dr. Mundia also disclosed that government has allocated K110 million towards
irrigation farming at Namushakende Farm Institute in  Mongu.

He said irrigation was one of the government priorities in agriculture production.

Dr. Mundia further  disclosed that K63 million has been allocated to rejuvenate the
cashew industry in Western  province.

He also said government will next year carry out a tse-tse fli eradication campaign
in Sesheke and Shangombo districts by spraying an area of about 20,000 square km in
the two districts.

Dr. Mundia said  the project was part of the Pan-African tse-tse fly eradication
campaign.

Dr. Mundia  appealed to farmers to join or form cooperatives as they were a vehicle
for development in rural areas.

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